GD1938 Game 22

[Bombur]

The loss of Paris was a heavy blow to the Anglo-French alliance, as the city defenses were considered very strong. Indeed, the assault on Paris costed the Germans about 350 tanks (many of them tankettes), but the city fell anyway. The French however, vow to fight to the end and are being supported by Spain and United Kingdom. With the Armeé de Áir all but destroyed, RAF bombers are starting to attack German troops. Losses inflcted to the Germans, however, were very small. We wonder if the medium bombers won´t be better used in raids against German industry. The French are doing somewhat better in the South, where Italian troops are unable to advance. There are also extensive ASW operations executed by the RN in the Atlantic. The Germans are dispersing their submarines, causing heavy losses to allied ships and forcing the RN to move large fleets to find a few subs. On the other hand, when they are found, they are relatively easy targets to British ships.

[ironduke1955]

January 1939 Germans/Italians

Le Havre proved resistant to a German assault, a second attempt will have to be made in February. 1st Infantry army pushed West from Lyon. Bridges were repaired across the Seine to help with the supply of all Panzer,s units now operating west of the Seine River. The French expressed surprise at the fall of Paris, I presume French intelligence have not looked closely at the German artillery, the Germans have 10 such artillery units as the unit shown below, each with a additional 6 Heavy Artillery III. The Reason why the Maginot succumbed so easily and why Paris though a mighty fortress was overcome, so quickly.

[Bombur]

After intel reports on the strenght of German artillery, the RAF shifted its attention to these units. Unfortunately, the preliminary night raids on German airfields were countered by night fighters and 40 bombers were lost. As a result the Bf-109´s were able to intercept the attacks, inflicting heavy losses to British aircraft. No less than 90 Hurricanes and 30 Whitleys were lost, but German casualties were significat too (about 70 Bf-109´s). As for land casualties, the attacks were deemed a partial suceess. The German lost about 100 artillery pieces.
For British sailors it was a calm month, with almost no attacks from U-BOat. French ships destroyed only one Germany submarine and a few tons of supplies were lost in the transatlantic route.
In the Mediterranean theatre, the Coastal command was able to achieve a significant victory, as patrol aircraft attacked Italian subs at anchor in Cagliari, sinking three of them. British air recon also located at least 200 Italian bombers in Bengazhi, many of them modern medium bombers, like the Fiat Br-20 and the SM-79.

[ironduke1955]

February 1939 Germany/Italians

Germany invaded Belgium Antwerp was captured Brussels isolated from the coast, the invasion was made easier by the approach from the West, most Belgium defenses are designed for a East assault. Le Havre was captured attacks were made on mostly fleeing French columns heading for Western French ports. No French opposition now operates in Eastern France. No surrender overtures are made so the War continues. The Luftwaffe operates for the most part with impunity.

In the Baltic the Swedish navy suffered the set back of having its entire submarine force sunk, The British have presented a challenge to the Germans in so much as Norway and Sweden are now controlled by the British, this will have to be remedied.

Due to the Soviet alliance with the United Kingdom they are now in the War, Germany is not sure if they mean for this to be a Hot war or they have some other intent, Germany will shortly find out.

[cpdeyoung]

The Soviet Union is very sorry to see Belgium attacked, but she was not an ally of ours. We have offered peace to the Germans.

The course of the conflict has taken Germany away from the borders of the USSR so there is nothing we could do in any case. We are allied with the British and wish them well.

The purges have become a problem, and the Red Army is not as strong as we would hope. We have read "Mein Kampf" and are uncomfortable with Germany's ascendancy. We expect to be attacked by the Axis powers, and hope to ready. Our intelligence officers have also noticed the fortification destroying power of the German artillery units. We have engineers at work building forts every month, but we realize they are not a panacea.

[Bombur]

France is preparing for a last stand, its forces reinforced by the BEF. The British leadership is deeply divided on how much equipment should be sent to France
The treacherous attack on Belgium will be avenged, but the Western allies are now fighting for their own survival. There isn´t too much we can do for Begium. The Belgium AF fled to London while the army made a desperate attempt to break the Siege of Brussels, with disastrous results
The British seem to be getting the upper hand in U-Boats vs. RN battle, however, the Naval High Command is deeply worried with the apparent dispersion of the German subs. There is probably a ambush for the RN, somewhere in the Atlantic.
The Italian port of Cagliari was hit hard by French and British aircraft, there is no more naval interdiction in the Mediterranean. Benghazi also attacked by British aircraft.
German panzer columns attacked by medium bombers, escorted by Hurricanes. This turn, the Hurricanes achieved a 1:1 kill rate vs. German fighters and only a handful of bombers were lost, but losses inflicted to the ground forces were, again, very small. Many trucks were destoyed, but not enough to slow the Panzer divisions, while a few tankettes were the only AFV´s destroyed.

[ironduke1955]

Looking for permission to replay my turn I was trying to launch a small tactical air raid with 5 Ju87b's in error I launched the entire Luftwaffe this would be a game breaker for all sorts of reasons that I would rather not go into. Up until that point the turn had been going rather well but it is a very intricate turn and quite fiddly, if the answer is no I will continue with the turn.

[LJBurstyn]

I also have made mistakes like moving units I did not intend to move. Or attack how I did not want to attack (land attack instead of artillery)...so I can understand the frustration. As there is no undo button for movement or attacks. But how do you enforce the turn redo? Say an attack does not go as planned so you ask for a redo saying it was a mistake? We could just rely on the honesty of the player--which I am inclined to do.

Or in other words I am inclined to allow Ironduke1955 a redo.

[baloo7777]

OK by me. Not a problem as I see it. Your honesty is beyond question. Of course, China won't be the one your affecting...so really should hear from the players affected.

[ironduke1955]

LOL Thanks guys I have the backing of Asia unfortunately I have a feeling that the western allies will not be so kind. But this not a failed attack that I want to redo its was a tremendous success as you would expect with all that air power, its now impossible to allocate air fighter protection and that is a essential cog in the German wheel and as I said game breaking if it cannot be implemented.

[cpdeyoung]

Air strike? What air strike?

Go for the redo and send that Luftwaffe staffer to shine shells on Baltic beaches!

Joseph Stalin

[ironduke1955]

March 1939 Germany/Italy

Brussels was taken not surprising given the losses of the Belgium army in their offensive against the Germans to the south of Brussels, Amsterdam was shelled not assaulted, Denmark was subject of a German Declaration of war no direct assaults were attempted. German armor made some limited probes towards Brest that seems to be filling with British Armor. The 1st Infantry Army pushed west from Lyon towards Bordeaux.

The Italians headed south from Lyon and are now just North of Marseille.

[cpdeyoung]

The Soviet Union held off on diplomacy this month because of all the activity in Western Europe. Her diplomats will rectify all issues of war and peace by accepting peace offers next month. The USSR is not planning any warlike operations and wishes to be at peace with all, within her current alliance structure.

Joseph Stalin

[Bombur]

March 1939 France-GB

Germany threw itself in a orgy of unprovoked agression in the last two months. While the French British alliance was to busy to assist these neutral countries, the German operations resulted in some delays in the offensive aggainst France. RAF Whitleys attacked German armoured units near Brest, inflicting heavy losses, without any intervention of the Luftwaffe. On the other hand, the German U-Boats blocked both London and Amsterdam, preventing the evacuation of Dutch forces. Atempts from the Coastal command, escorted by Hurricanes, to break to blockade took heavy losses from the Luftwaffe, but also destroyed 5 U-Boats. Much of the Royal Navy was hunting U-Boats in the Atlantic and so were unable to intervene. In the Italian Front, French artillery and air attacks inlflicted some losses to advancing Italian troops. Offensive against Italian west Africa started.

[baloo7777]

Nationalist HQ
Chief of Staff

A military tribunal investigating what happened during the so-called "Boxer Rebellion" has found a small cadre of Junior Officers from the Whampoa Military Academy, along with the support of only a few Superior Officers from the 4th Nationalist Army, including the Aide-de-Camp of General Xue Yue, to be guilty of ordering some foreign nationals rounded up and summarily shot. They acted without the knowledge or consent of the Chinese Nationalist High Command, and without orders from General Xue Yue. The offending officers have been executed.

[ironduke1955]

April 1939 Germans/Italians

The Dutch Capital fell to the 6th Infantry army with a Large artillery barrage as the forerunner to a conventional infantry assault. Escape routes had been sealed so nothing escaped by land or sea. The Luftwaffe commander in the Paris area had a lot to explain after the British raids on German armor went unpunished, that will not be the case with the commander of the Luftwaffe Paris area.

[cpdeyoung]

The Soviet Union does not want any conflict. The People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs wishes to remind all parties that we should be considered at peace.

(Translation : I forgot about the "war". I have made a note to take care of it! : Chuck)

[ironduke1955]

May 1939 Germany/Italy

Copenhagen was taken 6th Infantry army once again, with assistance from a element of the 7th Panzer Army. And Heavy Artillery from OKW reserve.

The Panzers remain in central France due to concerns about British intentions. In British operations it has been noted that they are operating a bombing and fighter force from the UK to interdict German movements in Northern France. Its a priority for the Germans to gain air superiority when ground operations commence if that cannot be guaranteed then preparations are made to ensure it can be. Lasts months sorties by the RAF causing substantial losses to the 4th and 7th Panzer armies under the noses of a not inconsiderable German fighter presence, indicate to OKW that the ratio for air superiority needs to be reassessed. Once done it will be buisness as usual for ground operations.

[cpdeyoung]

The Soviet Union has made peace with Germany.

[ironduke1955]

June 1939 Germans/Italians

The Germans capture Nantes in France and Malmo in Sweden the air war has continued with the British committing their entire air force again to tactical raids on German ground units in Northern France they are with the excellent Hurricane keeping the ME109's busy but the results are more about simply exchanging like for like. With the loss of some bombers thrown in for good measure.